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-   -   Decoding of Eddy Merckx frames (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1171913-decoding-eddy-merckx-frames.html)

CyclesMakaron 12-02-21 03:30 AM

This is a beautiful Eddy Merckx Titanium EX built by Litespeed.
Check the markings under under BB - we'll more or less determine the year of manufacture.

SJX426 12-02-21 05:58 AM

[MENTION=448872]CyclesMakaron[/MENTION] - Thanks for the reply. Will check into it further.

botty kayer 12-02-21 11:04 AM

SJX426 I've got a Merckx EX ti and love it, I think its the best riding bike of the 10+ bikes I own.

If you send the serial number to Litespeed they can give you the month and year of manufacture. They do charge a fee but it all goes towards a fund for injured cyclists or something if I remember correctly, so a good cause. I think all these US bikes were shipped to Gita Sports who distributed them.

Mine came with an old Kestral carbon fork which after a long search I replaced with a Columbus Max one as I wanted a carbon-free bike, so its good to see another one with a steel fork as all the others I've seen had carbon ones. Here's mine, seen here with 28c tyres which fit easily in the frame, which is a bonus for a vintage frame, which at 25 years old this us now classed as I guess:). Mine dates from November 1996 to give you a ballpark date.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7a857b6cc3.jpg

Go on, buy it :thumb:

Nerdybeat 12-04-21 12:29 AM

Hi there! I'm interested in learning a bit more about my (presumably) 80s frame. I love all the history in this thread! Thanks to all who help with tracking down the details.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...56ac800b8f.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6724f71886.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c5bd8afe9.jpg

CyclesMakaron 12-04-21 03:38 AM

Professional Columbus SL 1984 :)

Seanaus 12-04-21 04:41 AM

@CyclesMakaron, greetings again from Australia. Can you clarify something for me, if you could. Do you know what geometry the Corsa Extra Max were made with, race or century? Second part of the question, were all MX Leader made with century geometry? Best regards , Sean.

Nerdybeat 12-04-21 11:23 AM


Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 22328448)
Professional Columbus SL 1984 :)

amazing, thanks so much!

CyclesMakaron 12-05-21 04:48 AM

As far as I know all new models introduced after the Century model in 1988 were built with "century geo" i.e. Corsa Extra Max and Mx Leader too.
The last "new model" with "road race geo" was the Grand Prix.
The classic Corsa Extra and Corsa had from 1990 both geometries "to choose from".
The Strada (Cromor and Brain) was built exclusively in "road race geo" until 1996.

Labart75 12-11-21 07:17 AM

Hello
I'm new here so I can not post pics
I bought recently a merckx bike for the campa super record parts on it
Now I am looking for a bit of information on the frame itself
hope you can help me

left : F 4
right : e947

no slx it seems , no riflings
Fork crown is not flat
Brake bridge is not an arch
Colour is sort of electric blue ; original colour
info on the steerer tube can not be identified
decals do not seem to be original

Thx

CyclesMakaron 12-11-21 10:35 AM

F4 E947 - frame built in 1981, Columbus SL tubing.
If it has flattened tubes it is Aero model, if tubes are classic - Professional model.

Labart75 12-12-21 05:16 AM


Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 22336550)
F4 E947 - frame built in 1981, Columbus SL tubing.
If it has flattened tubes it is Aero model, if tubes are classic - Professional model.

thank you for your expertise
The paint is not excellent anymore but acceptable in a way
would it be better to preserve it in the actual state and a sin to restore/repaint it with new replacing decals?
Greetings

CyclesMakaron 12-13-21 03:01 AM

I would keep everything original - you do it so that you have the most fun and satisfaction :)

Labart75 12-13-21 04:14 AM

Can not wait to make my tenth post so I can publish pics as well 😉
for now I will write down the references...
Looking for some info on another frame

Left side: 7a
Right side: e8213

Greetings

Labart75 12-13-21 04:16 AM

Can not wait to make my tenth post so I can publish pics as well 😉
for now I will write down the references...
Looking for some info on another frame

Left side: 7a
Right side: e8213

Greetings

Seanaus 12-13-21 05:28 AM


Originally Posted by CyclesMakaron (Post 22329335)
As far as I know all new models introduced after the Century model in 1988 were built with "century geo" i.e. Corsa Extra Max and Mx Leader too.
The last "new model" with "road race geo" was the Grand Prix.
The classic Corsa Extra and Corsa had from 1990 both geometries "to choose from".
The Strada (Cromor and Brain) was built exclusively in "road race geo" until 1996.

Thanks [MENTION=448872]CyclesMakaron[/MENTION] :thumb:

CyclesMakaron 12-13-21 08:07 AM

A7 E8213 - Professional (or Aero - flattened tubes) 1983 Columbus SL/SP

Labart75 12-13-21 08:22 AM

Txh again!
I have another frame with particular markings

LS : A6 R
RS : E 080
But RS there is a big vertical 18 as well ?

CyclesMakaron 12-14-21 01:57 AM

A6R E080 18
A - EMC man responsible for frame quality (before painting)
6 - frame size (probably 56cm)
R - Reynolds 531 tubes
E080 - serial number
18 - untypical, unknown designation
Professional model built in January 1981 (dating used now) or in October 1980 (alternative dating I am working on now)

ecsjr 01-11-22 12:40 AM

Here is a picture of my Merckx's ID Numbers.
L7X
D8661
From spending the last couple hours going through this thread.. I think the number verifies it's a late 1993 built, 57c, SLX frame, which all matches the bikes stickers. Correct?
Anyone seen this color scheme before? A dark green.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...48a2c423c4.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2d426e48bb.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3a0354cc25.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4e47af7225.jpg

CyclesMakaron 01-11-22 01:03 AM

Flawless decryption.
Paint pattern shown in 1993 catalog.
Beautiful bike.

ecsjr 01-11-22 01:12 AM

Hey Thanks....great lead on the catalog.... found in on the thread for the 93-98 catalogs....same color pattern on the SLX frame.

Thanks for the thread!

Ed

GhostRider62 01-11-22 04:35 PM

Can anyone tell what tubing is on this Merckx? Is it Century geometry? The seller does not know.

BB stampings on the left side is F, on the right side is H 6932 62

Seems like a late 1990's build but the model is not clear to me (I know very little on the stampings)

CyclesMakaron 01-12-22 01:17 AM

Frame built in 2000.
Size 62.
Tubes look oversize which means it should be a Corsa 01 with built from Deda 01 tubes.

JCnSF 01-21-22 04:33 PM

Help on this Merckx Century bike
 
So let's try this again, apparently I can't upload photos due to being new. So I will try to add as much detail as possible my apologies for the length. (Red dit link at bottom)
MY step dad gave me his Merckx Century TSX frame with a handmade in Belgium decal. It's a whole bike with Shimano Dura-Ace components. Modolo Italian handlebars with a weird logo and - EVEN. The only thing I've seen with these components is a team Motorola bike. I have not been able to find this paint scheme as the bike is solid blue with the typical accents in red and white. Chrome lower triangle running along the chain. The serial numbers make little sense to me with the ones on the left almost looking like they were done by hand. Instead of being a straight line stamp they curve upwards from left to right.

On the left 8TTB with a light P stamped to the right of the B
From my research the TT stands for TSX framing which it is according to decals. The 8 the B and the P make no sense to me other than the P may stand for someone in production being involved with the bike
On the right which makes more sense reads D 8454

My stepdad thinks it's a limited edition bike built for a team rider in which he paid a few thousand for in the mid early 90's. I would love any help on this. Link for photos. Red dit. com/r/bicycling/comments/s944vf/eddy_merckx_bike_help/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

AUPedla 01-21-22 08:54 PM

8TTB 8=size 58 TT=TSX B=Century geometry
D8454 serial number built around '94 - see here https://www.bikeforums.net/22156788-post102.html
I can't see the pics in the post you linked to

JCnSF 01-22-22 04:43 AM

Never. I'm trying to track down what my bike is and solid color frames seem to be rare with the Merckx.

JCnSF 01-22-22 04:44 AM

Sweet!

CO_Hoya 01-22-22 10:57 AM


Originally Posted by JCnSF (Post 22382699)
So let's try this again, apparently I can't upload photos due to being new. So I will try to add as much detail as possible my apologies for the length. (Red dit link at bottom)
MY step dad gave me his Merckx Century TSX frame with a handmade in Belgium decal. It's a whole bike with Shimano Dura-Ace components. Modolo Italian handlebars with a weird logo and - EVEN. The only thing I've seen with these components is a team Motorola bike. I have not been able to find this paint scheme as the bike is solid blue with the typical accents in red and white. Chrome lower triangle running along the chain. The serial numbers make little sense to me with the ones on the left almost looking like they were done by hand. Instead of being a straight line stamp they curve upwards from left to right.

On the left 8TTB with a light P stamped to the right of the B
From my research the TT stands for TSX framing which it is according to decals. The 8 the B and the P make no sense to me other than the P may stand for someone in production being involved with the bike
On the right which makes more sense reads D 8454

My stepdad thinks it's a limited edition bike built for a team rider in which he paid a few thousand for in the mid early 90's. I would love any help on this. Link for photos. Red dit. com/r/bicycling/comments/s944vf/eddy_merckx_bike_help/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Pic assist (link to gallery):
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0f12cb7bfb.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bc239cf508.jpg

CyclesMakaron 01-23-22 01:52 AM

Beautiful serial Century built in late 1993, paint scheme to be found in 1993 or 1994 catalog.

Yurik 01-24-22 01:21 PM

Beautiful bike.


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